ETHICALLY SPEAKING

Is it Worth It?

With ethics at the core of so many stories dominating the media these days, I'm being asked by my audiences and the media to provide my point of view on high profile ethics failures. After reflecting on my own past, my first question would be "was it worth it?"

To Madoff: Was it worth $50 billion in your pocket, but the rest of your life in jail and your name disgraced forever? Was it worth it to have kicked the legs out from under some of the worthiest charities in the country and thousands of individual investors?

To Spitzer: Was disgracing yourself and your family worth membership in the Emperor's VIP Club? Was it worth it to be accused of concealing and using laundered funds and campaign contributions for prostitutes?

To Hank Greenberg at AIG: Was it worth playing Russian Roulette with your shareholders money, destroying nearly $200 billion in equity and putting an onerous cost on Uncle Sam and taxpayers? Was greedy capitalism worth putting the world's global economy in peril?

My Answer: Temporary financial gain and improved living standards certainly wasn't worth my years of life on the run, four years in prison, losing my family, and a lifetime of regret. I'm just so very thankful now that I'm blessed with the opportunity to make amends, heal the hurt, and devote my life to delivering a positive message to audiences all over the world, particularly young people.

So when you're faced with a difficult ethical dilemma, ask yourself first, "Is it REALLY worth it?"

Positive Touch

In my travels, I stay in a lot of different hotels, some exquisite, some not so much. Each year I like to look back and remember the most notable places I stayed. Those that provided the fondest memories didn't have the best facilities, but did have the finest people who worked there. The kind housekeeper or exceptional receptionist – the ones who clearly loved their job, loved life, and were happy to be where they were. Isn't that true with so many things we do in life? We remember the happy people who touched our lives. Strive to be one of those who touches others in a positive way, every day.

Choose Friends Carefully

I read this statement the other day and it got my full attention: "We are the sum average of the five people we spend the most time with on a regular basis." In my talks, I often comment on how careful I am about who I spend time with and call a close friend. Unfortunately, I learned this the hard way. In looking back, I realize that I was the average of five people who were probably not the best role models. No more. Be careful about who is in your inner circle of trusted advisors.

Mentoring

During questions and answers after my presentations, I'm often asked about how I know I've made the right decision. My answer is it's very difficult in our busy lives to process and analyze every option before we make a decision. Let's face it, with the vast number of decisions we contemplate each day, it's like drinking from a firehose trying to thoughtfully process each decision.

We are rarely given time to sleep on it, chew on it, research it, or ponder it. The key is to have mentors. People who love you, have your best interest at heart, and will be honest with their advice, sometimes painfully so. The other key is to actually listen to them, take their advice to heart, and weigh it against your own thoughts. Mentoring gives us an extra set of ears, eyes, and ideas we need.

Who makes a good mentor? A mentor can be a sibling, spouse, parent, religious figure, or teacher. A mentor is anyone who will take time to talk with you, and intently listen to you with an open mind. When we begin to separate ourselves from our mentors, that's usually a warning sign they are telling us things we need to hear but we choose not to listen.

Maybe you've been a mentor yourself. Being a mentor gives us the opportunity to set examples for others, to become a role model and hold ourselves to a higher level, and have a positive influence in someone's life.

I've had the pleasure of working with Special Olympics in the past. To me, it was one of the richest experiences of my life. The Olympians are wonderful people and so appreciative of those who work with them, offer support, and cheer them on. They don't care what kind of car you drive, where you live, or what kind of clothes your wear. They only care that you took the time to show up and are there to enjoy the moment. How rich is that? Living in the moment at such a pure level!

Try to focus on living in moment with your loved ones each and every day. Enjoy each others love and companionship. Appreciate the fact they just showed up.

"The happiest people in life don’t necessarily have the best of everything. They just try to make the best of everything", John Maxwell.

Until next time, all the best!

Patrick

For information or to schedule a live appearance, please contact me at (619) 981-1911 or patrick@speakingofethics.com.

Check out my website at www.speakingofethics.com

Recent Media Interviews:

BBC World Service
WSLS Television – Roanoke, VA
PBS Radio - These Days

Upcoming Live Appearances:

Mar. 26
Keynote Presenter
Utah State University
Partners in Business

April 1
Keynote Presenter
The School at Church Farm
Exton, PA

April 3
Keynote Presenter
Phoenix High School Forum
Phoenix, AZ

April 15
Keynote Presenter
College of St. Rose
Albany, NY

April 17
Keynote Presenter
Cornell University – MBA Program
Ithaca, NY

New Audio CDs Coming Soon

I am close to releasing two new CD's which will be available for purchase online. A presentation on my eight critical thinking errors will be available April 15th and a second CD geared toward students and ethics will follow by May 15th. A sure hit with parents of students from high school through college. Check back often at www.speakingofethics.com.